Beyond the Paddle.  There are very rare times during the year when one can access Burlington County’s Rancocas Creek’s Fern Canyon.   Today was one of those days.  🙂

HEADS UP PADDLE ALERT: Someone with less brains than intelligence painted huge orange arrows along the N. Branch around Franklin’s Bend, Cripp’s Wetland, Fenimore’s Knuckle and Fenimore’s Elbow (see: map). This is unsightly graffiti.

Getting through that area of the N Branch is tricky enough without sloppy, half-baked attempts at marking the water trail.

N. Branch of the Creek in this area is “walking” or what is the natural evolution of a tidal creek. The channel constantly changes– sometimes in a few days and surely every year through storm season, floods, ice and more. There is a deep hole in the creek where the arrow is painted. Your kayak can get easily pinned in this area if you get caught on the tide.

The bright orange paint is unsightly and scars the view-shed. It is clearly unhelpful. Whoever did this has risked paddler safety. When the creek channel changes, do we expect voluntary removal of the painted arrows? Furthermore, in covering bark lichen another biological injury results.

There is ample opportunity to get involved constructively with the Rancocas Creek Water Trail. Drop us at Rancocas Pathways a note or text for feedback on where you might get involved. Follow our social media platforms where activities are posted. Folks are encouraged to collaboratively support preservation and recreational use of the Creek. As friend of the Rancocas like to say: It is a precious gem hidden in plain sight!

NJ’s Rancocas State Park Melpine Landing to State of NJ State Natural Area , Rancocas Creek North Branch. 3 Hour Round Trip Kayak Paddle. Exemplary excursions, natural history, heritage, tidewater paddling, up close wildlife. Local, Westampton, NJ text 609-876-3086 for Information

Rancocas Creek Tidewater “Paddle Safe” project. Memorial Day Weekend Paddling General Weather Forecast. Sunny, North West Wind 20-30 mph, Temps Between 70-90.

There will be Jet-Ski’s and Motor Boats on Rancocas Tidewaters. Paddle Safe. They move fast. They can’t see kayaks sitting low in the water. Stay Alert when kayaking.

Listen, you will hear them before you see them. Paddle to the side of the Creek. Be respectful at launches, Don’t Block Ramps. Wear a Life-Jacket, Do not drink and kayak. Bring drinking water, leave a float plan. Don’t Paddle Alone. Wear a hat. Bring sun screen.
Paddle Safe.

1940 Centreton, NJ, along the Rancocas Creek (main stem). Visible is the old sea-scout base’s concrete ship and others sites from the area. Sitting along the creek under the cool shade of a lovely, sliver/swamp maple, I heard a first-hand account from an old-timer of days spent swimming with cork-filled life jackets, hanging out flags, tieing marine knots, and making the sojourn into the Philly markets by way of the Rancocas and Delaware River. Old-timer spoke of his early years watching tugs ply the creek’s tidal waters with deep-throated whistles warning of their headway, and of the hand-cranking of the original Centreton Bridge draw span. Learned of mothers working at Centreton Fireworks Factory and of sleepy days spent fishing with cane poles at the “Texas Works” pond. There was also the manure barges unloading at Cox’s Landing and of produce shipping out by barge all along the creek. Very chill to get such a from-the-horse’s-mouth account of the creek’s rich heritage on National Maritime Day. Very cool, indeed!